On this date in 1975, three people were killed and six others were badly injured while standing under a tin shed during a thunderstorm. Lightning struck a nearby walnut tree, sending a jolt through the nine people that were stringing tobacco in the small metal shed. During the past 30 years, lightning strikes have killed an average of 73 people annually, which is more than the deaths caused by tornadoes or hurricanes. For example, in 2000, 51 persons died after being hit by lightning, compared to 37 flood- and 29 tornado-related deaths.